Neck Treatment Helps Musicians with Temporomandibular Disorders

A recent study found that wind instrument musicians with temporomandibular disorders experienced significant improvements in maximal mouth opening, jaw pain, and associated disability when posture training was combined with manual therapies applied to the neck region. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, October 2024 One-in-Four Moms Fall Asleep While Breastfeeding Researchers from the University of…

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Monthly Pain Update – January 2025

hamstring

Glute Weakness and Low Back Pain While we traditionally view low back pain as the result of a problem localized to the low back itself, several studies have found that issues in adjacent parts of the body can play a role in the development of low back pain.  For example, chronically tight hamstrings can affect…

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Treatment to Improve Posture Can Benefit Temporomandibular Disorders Patients

ergonomics

A study that included 26 temporomandibular disorders (TMD) patients found that those who received treatment to improve their neck posture—in this case, manual therapy, postural exercises, deep neck flexor stabilization, and Kinesio tapping—experienced significant improvement in the TMD symptoms. The finding adds to a growing body of research linking disorders of the cervical spine and…

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Mobilization Therapy Helps Low Back Pain Patients

mobilization

Among a group of 39 patients with low back pain, researchers found that mobilization therapy is an effective treatment for reducing pain and improving motor function. Doctors of chiropractic are trained in the use of mobilization and other manual therapies in the management of several musculoskeletal disorders, including low back pain. Journal of Physical Therapy…

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Chiropractic Adjustments Can Help Scoliosis Patients

chiropractor

Among a group of 31 adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients, researchers observed that twelve sessions of spinal manipulative therapy and physiotherapeutic scoliosis-specific exercises led to greater improvements with respect to spinal curvature, spinal mobility, movement capability, and quality of life than scoliosis-specific exercises alone. Spinal manipulative therapy is the primary form of treatment provided by chiropractors.…

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The Effect of Low Back Pain on the Hips and Lower Extremities

hamstring

A systematic review that included 54 studies found that individuals with non-specific low back pain often exhibit significant reductions in hip range of motion, particularly in internal rotation; weakness in the hip abductor and extensor muscles; and greater involvement of the hamstrings and gluteus maximus during functional activities. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, May 2024 Short Sleep…

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Benefits of Manual Therapies in Managing Lumbar Disk Herniation

chiropractor

While studies on the effect of manual therapies for musculoskeletal conditions typically focus on outcomes related to pain, disability, or function, a recent study that included 32 lumbar disk herniation patients noted manual therapies may also provide benefits with respect to reduced catastrophizing, kinesiophobia, anxiety, and depression, and increased quality of life. International Journal of…

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One-in-Five Children and Adolescents Have Chronic Pain

backpain kids

A meta-analysis of data concerning more than 1 million kids and teens from across 70 countries revealed that approximately 20% suffer from persistent or recurring pain lasting longer than three months, most often linked to musculoskeletal conditions, like back pain. Pain, October 2024 Asthma and Type 2 Diabetes May Be Linked According to a recent…

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Musculoskeletal Mimics of Lumbosacral Radiculopathy

radicular

If a patient experiences pain that radiates into the leg, there are a number of potential causes beyond a disk herniation at the L5 of S1 level. Mimics of lumbosacral radiculopathy include piriformis syndrome, exertional compartment syndrome, and plantar fasciitis. Healthcare providers, including doctors of chiropractic, are trained in differential diagnosis to distinguish a particular…

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